Vilamoura Golf

Onyria Palmares (Praia & Alvor) – Tuesday 26th July

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The Society was at Onyria Palmares three weeks previous but there was a wish to return again especially by those who missed out on the first visit.

This time we played just 18 holes starting on ‘Praia’ and finishing with ‘Alvor. The wind was noticeable by its absence on the beach holes compared to previously – scoring was much improved with Simon Turner leading the pack with 17pts after nine only to fade away on the back nine. Newcomer Phil Crowther posted a 12+20 to win the day with 32 pts.

Instead of returning straight back to Vilamoura we visited one of the many beach bars on Meia Praia for post game refreshments – another good day had by all.

1st: Phil Crowther (h/c 8): 32pts

2nd: Annie Hallewell (h/c20); 30pts

Nearest The Pin (21st): Mark Patterson

Oceanico Old Course – Weekly Competition Friday 15th July 2011

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Course designer Frank Pennink wanted to create a golf course in the Algarve that would remind players of those beautiful, challenging inland British courses. The Oceanico Old Course parkland style layout is one of the oldest and renowned all over the golfing world. ‘Golf Digest’ rank it within the World’s top 100 courses.

Opened in 1969, the golf course was completely renovated and modernised in 1997 and fitted with a new state of the art irrigation system. It is quite simply many players favourite. It is a course where accuracy over distance previals with overhanging pines that often block the trajectory to its small protected greens.

The Society has not played here for over a year so it was high time for a visit. An ensemble of twelve players gathered to take on the ‘Grande Dame’ of the Algarve under perfect conditions; blue skies and a gentle temperate breeze. A special welcome was made to two juniors playing today namely Craig Harkins and Stewart Graham who each played with their fathers in today’s betterball stableford competition.

The winning score of 48pts is impressive as the rest of the field was at least eight points adrift.

1st: Clive Davies (h/c15) & Shane Hall (h/c10): 48pts

Nearest The Pin: Frazer Graham

Pinhal Saturday 11th June – Weekly Competition

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It has been nearly a year since the Society last played Pinhal so a visit was long overdue. Remodelled several times since it opened it has now probably got one of the toughest starts in golf on the Algarve. It can sometimes favour you if they are operating a two tee start and that you begin off the 10th – this was not the case today; off the first for us!

Though the greens were on the slow side the course was in superb condition. Next week it closes as part of its summer maintenance schedule and the rough would benefit from a quick trim in places. Once again we played a better ball stableford with four teams battling it out beneath glorious weather. Refreshments and ‘nibbles’ were once again laid on at Parkies.

1st: Fred Holmes & Shane Hall: 39pts

Nearest The Pin: Shane Hall (again)